Keith Wood's Journal, 10 Jul 22

I’m not using this app to lose weight (6’ 3”, 176 lbs). My son showed me this to help me keep track of my medical diet, for diabetes, IBS, and issues that come with each diagnosis. I’m new and figuring my way out while he’s away at camp 🏕 lol and slowly learning. The meal was just a garden salad, yogurt and cheerios 🤷🏻‍♂️ cause I didn’t wanna cook 👨‍🍳 tonight 🤦🏻‍♂️… but I seriously need to stay away from certain foods that cause high blood sugars and IBS flair ups (having the latter at the moment… not very comfortable…). I was a big carbs guy for years even with my diabetes… stupid, I know (don’t need the peanut gallery… I’m hard enough on myself for this failure in life, lol). 

I’m 50 years old, was diagnosed in the 4th grade for sugar issues. Parents split when I was 10… and no more diet lol… my mother worked 24/7 and I would eat after school or during school… not that she didn’t try 🤷🏻‍♂️…. Took myself to the Dr. at 18 and she said “I doubt you even know what it feels like to feel good…” didn’t matter… I was addicted to drinking Coca-Cola and eventually went to work for the darn company 🤦🏻‍♂️… drinking them off my truck 🛻 at 6:00 am to nighttime… so it’s all on me… don’t know how I’m still here really as my mom’s mom died at 56, my mom at 52, brother at 51 and I’m 50 and we all have the same medical issues… stupid I know, but gotta own it and try for my son’s sake and my own. I wanna see him graduate 👨‍🎓. 

Thanks for any help or encouragement and I’ll try to return the favour. Sorry for the book 📖.  

Do you have good recipes for your new diet? I find having some "dependable" meals in your arsenal makes it easier to not go back to old eating habits. Hope things settle into an easier routine for you soon.  

@pixxxxx’s I probably should do that. I am getting back in touch with our hospital’s dietitian again again 🙄… to figure out my best plan of attack… but not for a couple weeks… I’m on my own 🤣  

Keith, you certainly recognize your own pitfalls. That’s one of the first keys to moving forward in a positive way. My weakness for sugary/salty snacks is between 4-6pm. I’m experimenting with choosing a healthy snack and eating it at that time for a couple of days until it becomes a kind of habit (e.g., unsweetened Greek yogurt/fresh fruit). Then, I add in a new choice. Hoping (long term) that the repetition of good food choices will cancel out my cravings for chips, crackers, sweets, etc. 

@ Margo sounds like a solid start, creating good habits, new and setting goals is important. I think if we just “wing” it, or get so busy in our day, that we just grab what’s there, we end up making a bad choice. I find being mindful and setting myself up to succeed by making sure I have the healthy choices and the time for them… I do much better. 🤷🏻‍♂️